Corn-planter.



PATENTED FEB. 5, 1907.

' W. H. LYTLE. CORN PLANTER.

APPLICATION FILED JUNI: 28.1906.

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PATENTED PEB. 5, i907.

W. H. LYTLE. GRN PLANTER.

APPLICATION FILED JUNI: 28.1906.

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PATENTBD FEB. 5, 1907.

W. H. LYTLB. CORN PLANTER.

APPLIGATION HLBDJUNB 29.1906'.

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No. 843,345. i PATBNTBD PEB. 5, 1907. W. H. LYTLB.

CORN PLANTER.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 29,1906.

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5m @mbox TINTTE lli STATES ATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM II. LYTLE, OF BEDFORD, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO W. R. DONOIIOO, OF PEARL, ILLINOIS.

CORN-PLANTER.

Speecation of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 5, 1907.

Application tiled June 28.1906. Serial No. 323,802.

To all whom, t Wray concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM II. LrrLn, a citizen of the United States, residing at Bedford, in the county of Pike and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Corn-Planters; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exaact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which appertains, to make and use the same.

This invention relates to improvements in corn-planters.

The object of the invention is to provide a machine of this character having means whereby the seed-dropping mechanism may be operated automatically from the running gear or by means of a check-line.

Another object is to provide a corn-planter constructed and arranged for planting three rows of corn at a time, means being also provided whereby the operating mechanism may be changed from check-feed. to a drillfeed, so that the corn or seed may be drilled into the furrow.

With the above and other objects in. view the invention consists of certain novel ifeatures of construction, combination, and arrangement of parts, as will be hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side view of a corn-planter constructed in accordance with the invention. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same. Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view through the planter, taken on the line 3 3 of 2. Fig. 4 is a similar view taken on the line 4 4l of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken in rear of the seed-hoppers and looking toward the same. Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail plan view one of the seed-hoppers and its operating mechanism with the cover of the hopper removed. Fig. 7 is a vertical sectional view of the same and the seedconducting tube. Fig. S is a detail plan view of one of the seed disks or valves. Fig. 9 is a detail perspective view of one of the operating-pawls for the side feed-valves. Fig. 10 is a sectional detail view of a tappet-lever used in connection with the apparatus. Fig. 11 is an enlarged detail sectional view of one of the check-line carriers and wire doiliers, showing the same locked in position for use.

Fig. 12 is a similar view showing the parts of l l l l l l l l l l l the wire dofl'ers released and in position to discngage the check-wire. Fig. 13 is a detail view of the marking-stall, and Fig. 14 is a detail side view of the drill-feed mechanism.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, 1 denotes the main supporting-frame, having longitudinally-disposed side bars 2 connected at their ends by a front cross-bar 3 and a rear cross-bar 4t. Substantially midway between the ends of the bars 2 is arranged an intermediate cross-bar 5. On the side bars 2, near the rear ends of the same, are arranged stub-shafts 6, on which are ournaled supporting-wheels 7. Between the rear cross-bar 4 and the intermediate crossbar 5 and hingedly connected to the latter is a marking-wheel frame 8, on the rear end of which is formed a rearwardlyprojecting guide-stud 9, which is slidably mounted in a segmental guide-passage formed in a guide lug or arm 10, arranged on the rear cross-bar, as shown.

Journaled in the frame S is a markingwheel 12, in the periphery of which, at diametrically opposite points are arranged marking-blocks 13, by means of which the hills of corn are marked. The frame 8 is provided on each side adjacent to its rear end with apertured ears or lugs 14, through which are adapted to project upwardly-extending pressure-rods 15. On the upper threaded ends of the rods 15 are screwed thumb-nuts 16, between which and the lugs 14 is arranged a coil-spring 17 the tension of which is exerted to force the frame 8 downwardly to hold the marker-wheel therein into engagement with the ground. The lower ends of the rods 15 are pivotally connected to upwardly-curved crank-arms 1S, arranged on a shaft 19, joui'- naled in bearings on the under side of the rear cross-bar et of the frame. To the shaft 19 is also connected a downwardly-projecting crank-arm 20, to the lower end of which is connected a link 2l, the opposite end of which is connected to the lower end of a lifting-lever 22, pivotally mounted 0n a bar 23, arranged between the rear cross-bar 4 and the intermediate bar 5 of the planter-frame. T he lever 22 is provided with the usual pawl, adapted to be engaged with a segmental rack 24, whereby when the latter is pulled rearwardly the shaft 19 will be rocked in the proper direction to cause the crank-arms 1S IOO to swing the frame 8 and the marking-wheel therein upwardly, so that the latter will be out of engagement with the ground. Then the lever 22 is pushed forwardly, the shaft 19 will be turned in the proper direction to cause the crank-arm 18 to pull downwardly on the rods 15, thus causing the springs 17 to yieldingly force or hold the marking-wheel into engagement with the ground.

Connected to the intermediate cross-bar 5 and the rear cross-bar 4 is an upwardlycurved seat-supporting frame 25, on which is arranged a drivers seat 26, said seat being arranged immediately above the marking-wheel 12. To the seat 26 is connected foot-rests 27, which project downwardly on each side of the marking-wheel, as shown. Pivotally mounted upon the rear cross-bar of the frame is a scraper-shaft 28, on the ends and at the center of which are arranged downwardly and forwardly projecting crank-arms 29. On the lower ends of the arms 29 are formed right-angularly-projecting scraper-blades 30, adapted to be brought into engagement with the peripheries of the supporting-wheel 7 and the marking-wheel 12 to scrape and clean the same. The shaft 28 is provided with an upwardly-projecting crank-arm 31, adjustably connected, by means of a link 32, to the lower end of a substantially V-shaped footlever 33, pivotally mounted on one side of the drivers seat, as shown. One end of the lever 33 projects through and works in a guide-bracket 34 and has formed on its outer end a foot-piece which is arranged in convenient position beside one of the foot-supports of the seat, as shown, whereby said lever may be readily operated by the foot of the driver. The opposite arm of the lever 83 is connected -by a coil-spring 35 with the lower end of the guide-bracket 34, whereby when the lever is released by the driver the same will be restored to its normal position, thereby disengaging the Scrapers from the wheels, as will be understood.

Adapted lto be connected to one end or the other of the rear cross-bar 4 is a marker-staff A36, on the outer end of which is arranged a marking frame or runner 87, having its forward end inclined from each side toward thek center, as shown.

To the forward pointed end of the marking frame or runner is connected a rope 88, the forward end of which is connected by a link 39 to a hook 40 on the end of the front cross-bar 3 of the frame l. The marker-staff 36 has formed in its inner end a short longitudinally-disposed slot 41,

which is adapted to be engaged with a headed stud 42, arranged on the inner side of the proj ecting end of the rear cross-bar, whereby said staff may be quickly connected and disconnected from the frame to permit the same -to be moved from one side of the planter to the other, as will be understood. If desired, a suitable tool-box 43 may be arranged in the rear portion of the frame- 1, adjacent to one of the side bars 2, and extend between the intermediate and rear cross-bar, as shown.

Hingedly connected to the projecting ends of the front cross-bar 3 are side planter shoes or runners 44, while between the side bars 2 is hingedly connected to the front cross-bar an intermediate planter shoe or runner 45. The shoes or runners 44 and 45 may be of the usual or any suitable construction and are here shown as having upwardly-curved forwardly-projecting furrow-opening blades 46, to the rear ends of which are connected vertically-disposed seed-discharging-tubes 47 connected at their upper ends to the forward upper ends of the blades 46 by longitudinal bars or plates 48. On the bars or plates 48 of the planter-shoes are arranged hoppersupporting plates 49, above which and supported thereon by curved supporting-legs are seed-hoppers 50. The hoppers 50 are preferably closed on their upper ends by caps or covers 51, which are preferably attached to the hoppers by means of downwardlyprojecting rods 52, secured at their upper ends to one side of the cap and projecting downwardly through apertured lugs 53 on the hoppers, said rods having in their lower ends a transversely-disposed cotter pin or key, which will prevent the withdrawal of said rods from the apertured lugs on the hoppers, thereby connecting the caps or covers to the hoppers and serving as a pivot upon which said covers may be swung to one side after being lifted from the top of the hoppers.

Beneath the hoppers 50 on the plates 49 are arranged feed valves or disks 54, said valves being pivotally mounted upon vertically-disposed pins 55, which are arranged in a cross-bar 56 in said hoppers and project into the plates 49 below the same. The valves 54 are preferably in the form of circular plates, in which adjacent to their outer edges is formed an annular series of feed-apertures 57, which areadapted to be consecutively brought over a discharge-passage 58, formed in the hopper-plate 49 and communieating with the feed-tube 47, arranged beneath the same. On the edges of the valves 54 are a series of radially-projecting lugs or teeth 59, the upper sides of which are beveled or inclined in one direction, as shown at 60. On the hopper-plates 49, adjacent to the outer ends of the teeth or lugs 59, is arranged a segmental guard-flange 61, the purpose of which will hereinafter appear.

Journaled in bearings on the upper crossbars 48 of the shoes or runners is a transversely-disposed valve-operating shaft 62, on which opposite to each side ,hopper is formed .an upwardly-projecting crank-arm 63, in

which is formed a series of apertures, by means of which a valve-operating pawl 64 is adjustably connected thereto. The free end of said pawl is constructed in the form of a IOO IIO

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hook, as shown, to consecutively engage the teeth orA lugs 59 on the valves 54 to turn said valves when the operating-shaft 62 is oscillated. The hooked ends of the pawl 64 are adapted to slide loosely over the inclined or beveled surface 60 of the lugs 59 when projected rearwardly and to engage the squared side of the teeth, and thereby turn said valves When retracted forwardly by the operatingshaft. rlhe valves 54 are held against a retrograde movement by means of stop pawls or detents 65, which are pivotally mounted to the rear sides of the plates 49 and are adapted to slide loosely over the beveled surface of the lugs 60 when the valve is turned in one direction and to drop behind each successive lug, thereby preventing any backward movement of the valve. The operating-shaft 62 is oscillated in a forward direction to turn the feed-valves by any suitable mechanism, hereinafter to be described, said shaft being turned back or restored to its normal position after each operation of the valves by means of coil-springs 66, connected to the crank-arm 63 and to the hopper-plates, as shown. The feed-valve of the central or intermediate hopper is operated by means of a pawl 67, similar in construction to the pawls 64, except that the pawl 67 is provided with an elongated stem or shank, which extends from the central hopper to the front of one of the side hopper-plates, where the same is pivotallyconnected to one arm of a bellcrank lever 68, pivot ally mounted upon said side hopper-plate. The opposite arm of said bell-crank lever is pivotally and adjustably connected by a link 69 to a crank-arm 7 t) on the operating-shaft 62, whereby the valve of the central hopper is operated simultaneously with the valves in the side hoppers. The valve in the central hopper is provided with a stop pawl or detent 71, similar in arrangement and construction to the side stoppawls 65.

On the shaft 62 is formed an upwardlyprojecting crank-arm 72, v hic-h is connected, by means of a link 73, to a tappet-arm 74. 'Ihe arm 74 is pivotally connected at its upper end to a supporting-bracket 75, secured to the framework of the planter-shoes. 'i he tappet-arm 74 is provided with a pivotallymounted curved bearing-bar 76, vhich is held in the path of movement of a tappet-lever 77, adapted to be removably connected to the projecting end of the marking-u heel shaft, v hereby u hen said wheel and shaft are turned the ends of said tappet-lever will be brought into successive engagement with the bearing-bar 76, thereby swinging the same and the tappet-arm 74 forwardly and rocking the operating-shaft 62 forwardly against the tension of the springs 66, and thus actuating the valve-operating methanism, as hereinbefore described. rlhe opposite ends of the tappet-lever 77 are preferably bifurcated,

and in said bifurcated ends are j ournaled bearing-rollers 7S, u hich provide for an antifrictional engagement of the ends of said lever with the bearing-bar 7 6 on the tappetarm 74. 'i he lever 7 7 may be removably connected to the end of the marking-wheel shaft in any suitable manner, said connection being here shown, and is preferably made by squaring the end of said shaft to [it a squared openingl in the lever, u hich after being slipped on said squared end of the sha-'ft is held there on by means of a squared washer 79, in which and the end of the shaft are formed alined apertures to receive a locking pin or key S0.

Il' desired, the tappet-lever 77 may be removed from the shaft of the marking-wheel and the machine transformed into a checkrow-planter. To provide vfor the operation of the valve methanism u hen the machine is used Vfor a chcckrow-planter, the ends of the operating-shaft 62 are provided with downwardly projecting bifurcated crank-arms 8]., which are adapted to he engaged by knobs on a check-line 82 and to be rocked or turned by the (hooks thereon. In order to support the cheek-line in position to engage the crankarms Si, a suitable supporting merhanism is provided. Said mechanism is here shown Aand preferably consists of a laterally-projecting supporting-bracket S3, secured to the under side of the upper bars 4S of the two side planting shoes or runners 44. In the outer ends of the plates or brackets 83 is formed a slot S4, and pivotally mounted on the under side of said brackets or plate are guide-roller Vframes S5, in uhich are journaled guide-rollers 86, over which the check-line is adapted to pass. @he roller-frames S5 are open at their upper ends, and the inner side of said 'frames are provided with inwaidly-projecting lugs 85, uhith are adapted to work through the slots S4 and to be engaged by latth-hars 87, by means of nhich the pivoted roller-frames are held in a vertical or operative position. 'i he open upper ends of said frames when in said operative position are closed against the under side of the plates or brackets S3, thus providing a guide-passage above the rollers, through which the checkline may pass and be supported in position to engage the bifurcated crank-arms 81 on the operating-shaft. in order that the checkline may be disengaged from the guide-rollers and frames, the latch-bars 87 are provided on their inner ends u ith inwardly-projecting stems 8S, to the ends of which are connected releasing-cords S 9. 'the cords 89 pass through suitable guide-brackets 90 and are connected at their opposite ends to a 'foot-lever 91, pivotally mounted on the under side of each of the foot-rests 27 on the drivers seat, whereby u hen said foot-levers are depressed the latch-bars will be retracted, thus permitting the roller-ll rames to swing downwardly, thereby disengaging the upper outer ends of the IOO same from the brackets 83 and permitting the check-line to leave the same. 'i he latchbars 87 are restored to their normal positions and held in engagement with the lugs S51L of the roller-frames 85 by means of coiled springs 87', as shown.

The side planter shoes or runners are connected together at their upper ends by a transversely-disposed connecting-bar 92, said runners being braced to said connecting-bar by braces 93. In order that the planter shoes or runners may be swung upwardly out of engagement with the ground, a lifting mechanism is provided therefor, said mech-- anism being here shown, and preferably consists of a transversely-disposed crank-shaft 94, journaled in bearings 95 on the intermediate cross-bar 5 of the planter-frame. @n the ends of the crank-shaft 94 are formed downwardly-projecting cranks 96, the laterally-projecting lower ends of which are adapted to be engaged with rearwardly-projecting slotted bearing-bars 97, secured to the inner sides of the side planter shoes or runners, as shown, whereby when said crank-shaft is turned in the proper direction tne crankarms will swing the side planter shoes or runner upwardly out of engagement with the ground. The crank-shaft 94 is provided adjacent to each side of the intermediate runner or shoe with downwardly and forwardly curved crank-arms 9S, on the outer ends of which are journaledbearing-rollers 90, adapted to be brought into engagement with the under side of the hopper-plate on the intermediate shoe or runner, thereby raising or swinging said shoe upwardly when said crank-shaft is turned in the proper direction. The inner side of the seed-tube of the intermediate shoe or runner is provided with a rearwardly-projecting guide-lug 100, which is adapted to slidably engage a slotted segmental guide-bracket 101, secured to the forward side of the intermediate cross-bar 5 of the pl anter-frame, thereby causing said intermediate planter shoe or runner to move upwardly and downwardly in a true or perpendicular plane when raised by the crank-arms 98 on the shaft 94.

Pivotally connected to the crank-arms Q8 are upwardly-projecting pressure-rods 102, on the threaded upper ends of which are adapted to be screwed tension-nuts 103, between which and apertured ears or lugs 104 on the hopper plate of the intermediate shoe, through which said pressure-rods pass, thereby forcing and yieldingly holding the intermediate runner or shoe down into engagement with the ground. The crank-shaft 94 is rocked or oscillated by means of an operating-lever 105, pivotally mounted on the connecting-bar 23 of the frame 1, said lever being connected at its lower end by means of a link 106 to a downwardly-projecting rearwardly-curved arm 107, arranged on the crank-shaft, as shown. The lever 105 is provided with the usual pawl-and-ratchet adjust rent for holding the same and the parts controlled thereby in their raised or lowered position.

When the feed mechanism of the planter is operated by means of a check-line, the latter is preferably arranged upon a reel or windingspool 10S, which is iixedly mounted on t-he end of a shaft 109, journaled in suitable bearings 110 on the rear cross-bar 4 of the planter-frame. Said reel is provided with a crank-handle 111, by means of which the check-line may be rewound thereon after being used.

1n order to change the movement of the seed-valves from a check to a drill feed, a suitable drill-feed mechanism is provided to take the place of the tappet-lever. Said mechanismis here shown and preferably consists of a hub 112, hc ving a squared aperture, whereby the same is adapted to be engaged with the squared end of the marking-wheel shaft after the tappet-lever has been removed therefrom. The hub 112 is provided .-with a series of four or more radially-projecting arms 113, in the outer ends of each of which is journaled a bearing-roller 114, said rollers being adapted to be brought into successive engagement with' the bearing-bar 7 6 onthe tappet-arm 74, thereby imparting a rapid movement to said tappet-arm and its connections with the valve-operating shaft, which rapid movement is thereby imparted to the valves tocause the latter to produce practi- IOO cally a continuous feed of seed from the hoppers.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, the construction and operation of the invention will be readily understood without requiring a more extended explanation.

Various changes in the form, proportion, and the r or details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the principle or sacrificing any of the advantages of this invention, as defined by the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters latent, is

1. 1n a planter, the combination with a wl'ieeled supporting-frame, of a marker-wheel loosely mounted therein, a series of runnershoes hingedly connected to said frame, feedhoppers carried by said shoes, feed-valves mounted within said hoppers, radially-projecting lugs on said valves, a cranked, springretracted, valve-operating shaft mounted on said runners, pawls actuated by said shaft to engage the lugs on said valves and turn the latter, a tappe't--arm connected to said shaft, and means actuated by said marker-Wheel to IIC engage said tappet-arm and thereby rock said valve-operating shaft, substantially as described.

2. In a corn-planter, the combination with a wheeled supporting-frame,of a marking- Wheel frame hingedly mounted therein, a marking wheel journaled in said hinged frame, a series of shoes hingedly mounted in the forward portieri of said wheeled frame, apertured hopper-plates arranged on said shoes, seed-hoppers arranged above said plates, apertured feed-valves pivotally mounted between said hoppers and said plates whereby communication is formed between said hopper and the feed-tubes of said shoes, a series of radially-disposed lugs on each of said valves, a spring-retracted valveoperating shaft journaled on said shoes, valve-operating pawls adapted to be reciprocated by said operating-shaft to successively engage the teeth on said valves and thereby revolve the same, stop-pawls on said hopper-plates to prevent the retrograde motion of said valve, and means whereby said operating-shaft is actuated, substantially as described. y

3. In a corn-planter, the combination with a Wheeled supporting-frame, of a markingwheel frame hingedly mounted therein, a marking wheel journaled in said hinged frame, means to raise and lower said marl;- ing-wheel out of and into engagement with the ground, a series of runner-shoes hingedly connected to said wheeled frame, means to raise and lower said shoes out of and into engagement with the ground, hoppers carried by said shoes, rotary feed-valves disposed within said hoppers, a valve-operating shaft journaled on said shoes, valve-operating pawls connected to and operated by said shaft to turn said valve in one direction, stoppawls operating to prevent a retrograde movement 0f said valves, and means whereby said operating-shaft is actuated by said marking-wheel, substantially as described.

4L. In a corn-planter, the combination with a wheeled supporting-frame, of a ,markingwheel frame hingedly mounted therein, a marking wheel ournalcd in said hinged frame, a lifting-lever to raise and lower said marker-frame and wheel, runner-shoes hingedly connected to said wheeled frame, seedho pers carried by said shoes, rotary feedva ves arranged within said hoppers, a springretracted valve-operating shaft, valve-operating pawls actuated by said shaft to engage and turn said valves in one direction, means to prevent a retrograde movement of said valves, a tappet-arm connected to said o erating-shaft and a tappet-lever mounte on the shaft, of said marking-wheel and adapted to engage said tappet-arm and thereby actuate said valve-operating shaft, substantially as described.

5. In a corn-planter, the combination with a wheeled supporting-frame, of a markingwheel frame hingedly mounted therein, a marking-wheel `iournaled in said frame, marking-blocks on said wheel, a lifting-lever to raise and lower said frame and wheel, cleaning-blades supported on the rear end of said wheeled frame, means to engage said blades with the peripheries of said wheel, runner-shoes hingedly connected to the forward end of said wheeled frame, feed-hoppers carried by said shoes, feed-valves arranged below said hoppcrs, an operatingshaft ournaled on said shoes, a tappet-lever, means whereby said tappet-lever is adapted to actuate said shaft.

6. In a corn-planter, the combination with a wheeled supporting-frame, of a markingwheel frame hingedly connected thereto, a marking-wheel journaled in said hinged frame, marking-blocks arranged in the periphery of said wheel, a lifting-lever adapted to raise and lower said frame and wheel, means to press and hold the latter downwardly in yielding engagement with the ground, a series of runner-shoes hingedly connected to the forward end of said frame, a lifting-lever to raise and lower said runnershoes out of and into engagement with the ground, means to yieldingly press and hold said shoes downwardly on the ground, seedhoppers arranged on said seed-planting shoes, rotary valves arranged below said hoppers, an operating-shaft `iournaled on said shoes, valve-actuating pawls operated by said shaft, a tappet-arm, a crank-arm arranged on said operating-shaft, a link connecting said crank-arm and tappet-arm, a pivotallymounted bearing-plate on said tappeti-arm, a tappet-lever removably mounted on the shaft4 of said marking-wheel,- tappet-rollers mounted in the outer ends of said shaft to engage said bearing-plate, whereby a drilling movement is im artod to said feed-valve, substantially as escribed.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

VILLIAM IfI. LYTLE.

IVitnesses:

ARTHUR MILLER, A. F. Bonnin.

IOO

IIC 

